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J.R. WILSON.- CHEMICAL FIRBBXTINGUISHBR. A

Patented Nov. 8,-188l,

\\\ 2 mnu I'NVBNTOR @uw ff m K l QBY ATTORNEY y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. JAMES WILsON, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, AssreNon To TEE WILSON 'CHEMICAL FIEE ExrINeUisHEE COMPANY, OF SAME FLAOE.

CHEMICAL FIRE-EXTINGUISHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 249,282, dated November 8, 1881.

i Application tiled August 18, 1881.4 (No model.)

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES R. WILSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invente-il certain new and useful Improvements in Chemical Fire-Extinguishers 5 and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in lo the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or )figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. My invention relates to improvements in .chemical fire-extinguishers; and it consists, first, in a novel arrangement of'connections between the two generating-vessels of a fireextinguisher, by means of which the pressure 2o generated in either vessel can be utilized independently of the other, or, if desired,.the pressure of both vessels can be combined; second, an acid-receptacle and its cap or stopper made of annealed glass, and located partlywith- 2 5 out and partly within the generating-vessel,

the exposed portion being protected by a removable metallic shield securely held in position by suitable means; third, devices for re leasing and swinging open the hinged cap or. 3o stopper of the acid-receptacle, by means of which the discharge of the acid into the generator is at all times insured, no matter howmuch the parts to be separated adhere from corrosion or otherwise; fourth, in certain de 3 5 tails of construction, which will be more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed. In the drawings, Figure lis an elevation, partly in section, of aflre-extinguisher mounted upon wheels, and having two generators." 4o Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view ot' the glass acid-receptacle, showing the devices for securing it in position in the generator and for releasing and swinging open its hinged glass stopper. Fig.`3 is an enlarged sectional view of the detached acid-receptacle shown in. Fig. 2.

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail views of the releasing devices shown in Fig. 3, Fig.` 7 is a detached view of a metallic acid-receptacle, showing a modification of the releasing devices shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a central longitudi- 5o nal section of Fig. 7, showing the hinged stopper partially open. Fig. 9 is a View ofthe `lne- .generator may be removed when it is found necessary to cleanse it.

c is another hollow axle, which is so mounted in frame a as to forma continuation of the hollow axle b of generator b. This axle c is provided with one or more openings, c', which 7o connect the` hollow axle c with the annular chamber c?, provided with the discharge pipe c3. The end of hollow axle c has screwed therein astopper, c, in which works a screw-threaded stem, c5, the inner end of which is provided with a plunger, c6, which is moved back and forth in the hollow axle c by handwheel c". The forward movement of plunger c6 is limited by the annular shoulder c8 in the hollow axle c, and when it is in contact with such shoulder 8o it closes the generator b and prevents the escape ot' its contents. `Vhen it is moved back past the openings c of axle c it permits the escape of the gas and liquid from the generator into the hollow axle c, thence through openings c into annular chamber c2, and through discharge-pipe c3 into the -hose attached thereto. The generator b is similarly mounted upon a hollow axle, one end of which shows in section at d. To the open end of this axle is 9o secured the hollow cylinder d', forming a con-` tinuation of said axle, and to this cylinder d is screwed the stop-valve consisting of the cylindrical part d? and conical plunger cl3, with its screw-threaded stem d, which'is operated-95W,

by hand-wheel d5 up and down in seat cli". This valve serves to regulate the discharge ot' the contents ot' generator b', and is connected which the hose is att-ached.

f/I l th hollow axle c by means of hose d?, one

/ end of which is secured to the cylindrical part d2, and the other end to the opening d8 in hollow axle c. l

It will be seen that both generators are connected with the common discharge-pipe c3, to If it is .desired to utilize the contents of generator b, the plunger cG is drawn back to the position shown in Fig. l, thusallowing a free escape of gas and liquid into the hose attached to the dischargepipe c3, and at the same time preventing the escape of the contents of generator b', even if hy any chance the plunger d3 should be raised sufficiently to allow the escape of lthe gas and liquid from generator b". It is intended, how- A ever, to control such discharge independently of the other generator by means of plunger d3. Should it be found desirable to utilize the contents of generator b alone, the plunger c6 is forced aga-inst the annular shoulder c in the hollow axle c, thus securely closing generator b, and the plunger d3 is raised a sufficient distance to allow the contents of generator b' to be forced out of the common discharge-pipe c3 into the attached hose. lf the combined pressure of both generators is to be utilized, it will only be necessary to raise the plunger cl3 and place the plunger c6 at the center of the opening c', in which position the contents of the generators is permitted to pass by each side of the plunger c6 into the common annular recess c2 and discharge-pipe c3.

' In Patent No. 231,696, granted to me August y31, 1880, is shown an acid-receptacle, which is placed partially without and partially within the generator. The acid-receptacle therein described, being made substantially of brass, is quite expensive, and the devices employed for opening it, so vthat the contained acid may be discharged into the generator, have beenl found by experience to be unreliable at times, by means of corrosion and consequent adhesion of parts.

To avoid the above dificulties I have constructed my acid-receptacle and its cap or stopper of annealed glass, and provided it with means, hereinafter more fully described, by which the cap or stopper is released. and swung open in such a manner as to entirelyh overcome the difficulty heretofore experienced.

In Fig. l the acid-receptacle e is shown as hung upon arms e', hinged to the body ofthe generator, and adapted to be swung thereon out of the opening in which it rests when in place.

A rest, c2, is provided, which holds the acidreceptacle in an inverted position, so that it can be readily charged withV acid. When in position in the generator it is there securely held by a yoke, c3, and binding-screw c4. In'

my former patentthis yoke was hinged at both sides 5 but I have found it more 'convenient to hinge it at one side only, so that it can be swung entirely to one side when not in use. It is shown in Fig. 2 as hinged at e5, and provided -With fastening-pin e6 to hold it in place.

In Fig. 3 I Vh ave shown the acid-receptacle f of annealed glass provided with-shoulder j". That portion of the glass receptacle which remains outside of the generator is protected by a cap or dome, f2, which is screwed down upon an-annular metallic ring, f 3, which rests in a groove cut around the opening in the generator, in which the acid-receptacle is placed.

The shoulderfl of the glass receptacle rests upon this ringfs, and is forced down tightly thereon by turning the screw e4 in the yoke c3.

The glass cap or stopper f4t has the circular groovef5, in which is placed the packing f6, against which the neck of the receptacle rests.

On the under surface of this cap or stopper f4 I is a screw-th re'aded proj ection,f7, which screws into a circular plate, f, hinged to the depending rod f, which is secured to the annular ring f3. This screw-threaded projection f7 provides for a proper adjustment of the glass cap f4, to compensate for a change in length of the depending rods f9 and g, which are secured to the screw-threaded annular ring f 3.

Diametrically opposite to the point at which the rod ff is secured is hung another and shorter rod, g, at the lower end' of which is hinged the catch g slotted at g2. This slotengages with a projection, g3, on the. plate f8,

and thereby holds the plate, with its attached cap or stopperf, firmly in position when the acid-receptacle is charged. To release this cap f* and discharge the acidinto the generator when necessary, I have /provided a rod, h, (shown enlarged in Figs. 5 and 6,) which is pro vided outside' of the generator with the handle h. At the lower endof rod h, andV inside of the generator, I have placed the lever h2, which projects from the side of rod L and curves outward and downward, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. When this rod h is turned i'rom the IOC IOS

outside bythe handle h the projecting lever h2 l strikes a shoulder on the hinged catch g', just above the plate f, and throws it out of engagement with said plate. If the cap f4, attached to plate f3, should happen to adhere and remain in contact with the neck of the acid-receptacle, the curved lever h2, as therod It is further turned, will press down upon the shouldery g3 and effectually release the cap, thus insuring in ari-entirely reliable manner the discharge of the acid into the generator.

The great uncertainty of a prompt opening of the class of acid-receptacles which do not entirely avoided the corrosion consequent upon the use of metal.

I am aware that glass has heretofore been employed for holding the acid, but only where the receptacle has been placed entirely within the generator, in which case it has always been broken or mutilated when the acid was IIO 2499282 e y Y 3 discharged, and therefore incapacitated for further us" y reliable,` And, being annealed, will not break under the pressure and heat actionof `the chemicals. -It can be easily and expeditiously refilled with acid,and with careful handling will last as ceptacles of this class now in =use.`

In Figs. 7, 8, and 9 Ihave shown amodified form of device for releasing and swinging open the cap or stopper of the acid-receptacle. It is shown as applied to a metallic acid-receptacle. The only substantial chan ge in the construction of this device from that shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is that the curved lever fi, instead of being placed upon the rod, forms a partof the hinged cap-holder 7c, upon which is hinged the cap or stopper k', and is curved upward instead of downward, as in Figs. 5 and 6. Two pins, k2 k3,'are placed upon the rod h, the upperone of which, k2, bears downpupon the curved lever after the lower pin, k3, has released 'such lever from engagement therewith. It will be seen that in both instances the curved lever serves to swing open the hinged cap after it has been releasedfrom engagement with the neck ofthe acid-receptacle. i

The operation of my improved lire-exija` guisher is as follows: The generators b b are charged with an alkali and Water, and the receptacles c are lled with acid and closed and secured in position, as shown in Fig. l. The plunger c, attached to stern c5, ismoved up against the annular shoulder o8, which closes the generator b.' The plunger d3 is moved down, so that it rests in the cylindrical part d2, in which position itcloses the generator b. When it is desired to put the apparatus into operation, the handle h on the outside of the generator is turned, thereby causing the lever h2 to strike the shoulder on the pivoted catch g', swinging it to one side and releasing the circular plate f 8, and with yit the cap or stopperfi.

It' the cap f4 the neck ot' the acid-receptacle, it-immediatel y falls and releases the acid, which is discharged into the generator below, chemicalaction takes place. Should the parts adhere, which often occurs, the desired separation is effected by the curved portion of the lever h2, which forces down the plate f8 and stopper f 4. In the modification shown in Figs.

" 7, 8, and 9, it will be seen that the curved 1ever z', although located differently, serves the same purposethat of forcin g downthe hinged cap or stopper after it is released from engagement with the acid-receptacle-whenever these parts happen to adhere from corrosion or from any othercause.

It will be seen that by myimproved construction there is no chance of the parts failing to operateas desired-a condition which insures the perfect working of the apparatus at all times.

The two generators b b are so arrangedand connected with the common discharge-pipe c3,

My glass receptacle is strong and long as the metal `re-,`

should not happen to Vadhere to,

where the desiredy gages with a projection, g3,

pressure generated therein can be used indeg pendently or combined, as deemed desirable. generatedby the i It will be seen that by pivoting the yoke e3 on one side only it can, when not in use, be moved entirely to one side and without the space occupied b y the `acid-.receptacle at the top of the generator, and is in this respect a great improvement on the yoke shown in my former patent, herein referred to. y

I make no claiinin this application to the form ot reel shown in section in Fig. l, as I wish to reserve such form of reel as subjectmatter for a separate application to be made subsequently.

"I claim- `l. In a chemical nre-extinguisher, the combination, with the generators b b', each provided with an acid-receptacle, e, and mounted upon hollow axles b2, of the tubular connections d2 'dl d8 c, the plungers d3 c, with their screwthreaded stems d4 c5 and hand-wheels d5 c7, and the annular chamber c2 and discharge-pipe c3, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a chemical lire-extinguisher, the acidashas already been fullyexplained, that the f receptacle e, hinged to the generator, and 4 adapted to be swung out of position in such generator and upon the rest e2, secured to the wall of the generator, the rest c2 being adapted `to hold the acid-receptacle in an inverted position, so that it can be conveniently filled with acid, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a chemical tire-extinguisher, an acidreceptacle and its cap or stopper, made of annealed glass, and located partly without and partly within the generator, the cap or stopper being hinged to the receptacle, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a chemical lire-extinguisher, an acidreceptacle and its cap or stopper, made of annealed glass, and located partly without and partly within the generator, and protectedon theoutside by a removable iuclosing shield, the cap or stopper being hinged to the receptacle and released and swung open by devices located within the generator and operated from theoutside thereof, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a Vchemical fire-extinguisher, the combination ot' the acid-receptacle and its.` cap or stopper with the hinged plate to which the cap is secured. and the curved lever operating with suitable devices to release and swing open said cap, so that the contained acid may be discharged into the generator, substantially as shown and described. y y

6.' In a chemical fire-extinguisher, the combination of the acid receptacle e and its cap or stopper f 4 with the rod fg, to which is hinged the cap-plate f 8, the rod g, to which is hinged the slotted catch g', the slot g2 of which enon the cap-plate fa, and the rod 11provided at its lower end with the curved leverlt2,t`or releasin g and swin ging open the cap or stopper, substantially as shown and described.

vI OO to which it is secured, ns and for the purpose stated.

8. As means of securing the acid-receptacle in position in the generator of a fire-extinuisher the 'oke e3 and liindino'screw e4 the yoke being hinged on one side only, and proro vided on the other side with fastening-pin e,

so that when not; in use the yoke may be swung entirelyto one side, substantially as shown and described.

l JAMES B. .WILSON Wi messes:

HENRY T. SMITH, W. T. MILLER. 

